Cristiano Ronaldo skips training in Copenhagen ahead of Portugal’s Nations League clash with Denmark

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a training session in Copenhagen on Tuesday as Portugal prepared for their UEFA Nations League match against Denmark, a development that has come amid a flare-up between the forward and head coach Jorge Jesus.

Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), travelled to Copenhagen on Tuesday as reports described tension and uncertainty within the national squad. According to Record, the issue stems from Jesus’s decision not to play the Portuguese captain against Norway despite telling him beforehand that “he would play for about 30 minutes.” Ronaldo warmed up throughout that game but was not called on, and after Portugal’s triumph in Oslo he went straight to the changing room rather than joining team members in thanking the fans.

On Tuesday, Ronaldo was present at the stadium while Portugal continued preparations for the Denmark match but did not train with his team-mates. The FPF said the captain had completed an individual gym exercise at the team hotel where the squad is staying. The federation added the stadium lacked the necessary equipment for the session scheduled for “the number 7,” and issued that explanation shortly after his absence was noted.

Proença had originally planned to attend the Under-21 team’s match against Gibraltar in the Azores but altered his itinerary and travelled to Denmark. The FPF president’s change of plan was prompted by the coverage of Ronaldo’s situation in national team headlines, and he arrived in Copenhagen on Tuesday to oversee the matter.

Jesus and Ronaldo are thought to have been given the opportunity to air their differing views, which reportedly eased immediate tensions between them. Despite that exchange, uncertainty remains over how the situation will be resolved. There is also ambiguity about any potential effect on team selection for the next match, and the federation has not confirmed the underlying reason for Ronaldo’s absence from training.

Those developments will be watched closely as Portugal finalise preparations for their Nations League fixture; Portugal face Denmark in the UEFA Nations League.